High Levels Of Carbohydrates Research Articles

Biofilm nutraceuticals shape gut microbiota better than diet-based interventions: a novel approach to next-generation medicine

In-vitro-developed microbial biofilms are reported to restore degraded agroecosystems via reinstating soil-plantanimal-microbial networks by supplying a mixture of diverse biochemicals that act as network components. Here we hypothesize that the same approach can be used to revitalize the gut microbiota altered due to modern lifestyle and dietary patterns. We tested biochemicals exuded by a developed fungal-bacterial biofilm (BFEx) on the dormancy-breaking of five test gut microbes. The growth and development of the microbes were evaluated in a simulated gut environment with eight different dietary patterns consisting of low and high levels of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and fiber. In addition, the BFEx was tested for cytotoxic activity. Results revealed that the BFEx promoted the growth and possibly dormancy-breaking of all the tested gut microbes. However, these observations were made only in mixed cultures suggesting that there is a need for the interaction of diverse microbes in order to achieve a beneficial outcome from the BFEx. Further, the BFEx showed no cytotoxicity. In conclusion, this biofilm-based method seems a better solution than that of diet-based interventions for achieving healthy gut microbiota as the latter option does not restrict peoples’ dietary preferences. The next step would be to evaluate this microbial intervention in animals and humans.

Effect of Dietary Regimen on the Development of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Narrative Review.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting 4%-20% of women worldwide. The pathogenesis of PCOS is still unconfirmed. Some risk factors for the disease are obesity, insulin resistance, genetic factors, and diet. Our aim is to review studies investigating the role of diet in the development of PCOS. We looked into studies published in different databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, using specific keywords as per our study topic. High-carbohydrate, high-fat diets, low-fiber diets, high glycemic index and glycemic load, and Western diets were associated with a higher risk of PCOS. Some vitamins, such as Vitamin D and B9, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, fruits, nuts, and seeds, such as pumpkin and sunflower, are associated with a lower risk of PCOS. The Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010) diet reduces the risk of hyperandrogenic or oligoanovulatory phenotypes. The review revealed that unhealthy diets encompass high levels of carbohydrates, animal proteins, fats, and processed foods. Despite inconsistent results from certain studies claiming no disparity in the dietary patterns between PCOS patients and healthy controls, the majority of researchers have amassed sufficient evidence linking nutrition to the incidence of PCOS. The review also underscores the significance of the interplay between genes and the environment in the prevalence of PCOS. Individuals possess a genetic predisposition to the condition from birth, and subsequent exposure to detrimental environmental factors, particularly diet and inactivity, trigger epigenetic changes that contribute to the development of the disorder. This study further illuminated the existence of the "lean PCOS" phenomenon, wherein roughly 20% of global PCOS cases exhibit clinical manifestations of the syndrome but maintain a normal or below-average weight. To sum up, the collective body of assessed research indicates that women with PCOS tend to share similar dietary habits, characterized by the consumption of numerous unhealthy foods such as processed foods, animal proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. While some studies present conflicting findings, these contradictions underscore the necessity for further investigation employing extensive cohorts.

Dietary Betaine Attenuates High-Carbohydrate-Diet-Induced Oxidative Stress, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Apoptosis in Mandarin Fish (Siniperca chuatsi).

To investigate the impact of betaine on high-carbohydrate-diet-induced oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) (23.73 ± 0.05 g) were fed with control (NC), betaine (BET), high carbohydrate (HC), and high carbohydrate + betaine (HC + BET) diets for 8 weeks. The results showed that betaine significantly promoted the growth of mandarin fish irrespective of the dietary carbohydrate levels. The HC diet induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by significantly elevated MDA levels. The HC diet significantly stimulated the mRNA levels of genes involved in ER stress (ire1, perk, atf6, xbp1, eif2α, atf4, chop), autophagy (ulk1, becn1, lc3b), and apoptosis (bax). However, betaine mitigated HC-diet-induced oxidative stress by modulating antioxidant enzymes and alleviated ER stress by regulating the mRNA of genes in the PERK-eIF2a-ATF4 pathway. Additionally, betaine significantly reduced the mRNA levels of becn1 and bax, along with the apoptosis rate, indicating a mitigating effect on autophagy and apoptosis. Overall, dietary betaine improved growth, attenuated HC-diet-induced oxidative stress and ER stress, and ultimately alleviated apoptosis in mandarin fish. These findings provide evidence for the use of betaine in aquafeeds to counter disruptive effects due to diets containing high carbohydrate levels.

Dietary β-glucan ameliorates metabolic stress caused by a high dietary carbohydrate level in Nile tilapia

Carbohydrates are an excellent cost-friendly energy source for fish, and they have been used to improve growth performance and reduce dietary protein levels. However, the aquaculture industry has frequently overused high dietary carbohydrate levels, which has caused metabolic disturbances in fish. This deleterious effect is often diagnosed at the end of the production cycle, affects fish health and causes significant losses to farmers. In this context, β-glucan, which is broadly known as an immunomodulator, may ameliorate the deleterious effects caused by high levels of dietary carbohydrates. Therefore, we investigated the effect of dietary β-glucan on the reduction of metabolic disturbances in Nile tilapia fed a high carbohydrate diet. A total of 352 juvenile Nile tilapias (25.39 ± 0.83 g) were fed isoproteic (280 g kg−1 PD) and isoenergetic diets (3130 kcal kg−1) containing low amounts of carbohydrates (CHO-L 270 g kg−1) or high amounts of carbohydrates (CHO-H 620 g kg−1) with four levels of β-glucan (βG; 0, 1, 3 and 6 g kg−1) for 10 weeks. We evaluated the productive performance, plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, hepatosomatic index, total liver and muscle lipid, hepatic glycogen, hepatic activity of hexokinase, glucokinase, pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, liver histopathology and innate immune responses. Fish fed a high carbohydrate diet had significantly increased productive performance and lipogenesis, presenting higher hepatosomatic indexes, triglycerides, hepatic glycogen, muscular lipid, hepatic activity of glucose-6-dehydrogenase phosphate, and malic enzyme. Additionally, histological analyses indicated expressive cytoplasm vacuolization. The innate immune responses such as leukocyte respiratory activity, complement and lysozyme were also significantly decreased for the high carbohydrate diet, indicating the occurrence of immunosuppression in fish. These results also indicate impaired metabolic functioning. However, β-glucan ameliorated metabolic stress. Specifically, we found a significant decrease in the serum levels of triglycerides, hepatosomatic index, muscular lipid, and hepatic activities of malic and glucose-6-dehydrogenase phosphate enzymes in fish fed high amounts of carbohydrates containing glucan. There was also a significant decrease in hepatic activity of the glycolytic pathway, hexokinase and pyruvate kinase. Moreover, β-glucan modulated the respiratory activity of leukocytes and complement, confirming its immunomodulating effect on fish. In conclusion, β-glucan mitigated the metabolic disturbances caused by the high levels of carbohydrates in the diet of Nile tilapia. This finding indicates that besides having an immunomodulating effect, β-glucan also has metabolic functions/benefits such as reducing glycolysis and lipogenesis.

Phytochemicals and therapeutic use of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) – A narrative review

This article provides a summary of phytochemical composition, nutritional value and health benefits of Pheonix Dactylifera L, commonly known as dates. Additionally, the article explores the potential of date fruit to be utilized as a food medicine in the treatment of various human diseases. We conducted a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the biological functions of date palm and its potential health benefits, utilizing databases literature search engines including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and google scholar. Regular consumption of date palm fruits (DPFs) may lower the risk of developing various chronic diseases due to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer and anti-mutagenic properties. Additionally, the pollen of date palm trees contains high levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, making it an excellent natural supplement with substantial nutritional value and energy-boosting properties. Date palm components have demonstrated potent antioxidant effects and have played a crucial role in both male and female reproductive systems, promoting fertility in both genders. Date palm pollen (DPP) has shown gonadal-stimulating potency in females and can significantly increase testosterone levels in individuals with Oligoasthenozoospermia and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in patients with Azoospermia, making it as a potential treatment for reproductive health. According to the literature, date fruit is a highly nutritious fruit compared to other commonly consumed fruits. In conclusion dates have been shown to have a significant impact on various female reproductive parameters such as oogenesis, oocyte development, hormone modulation, and pregnancy strength.

Orange Peel Waste as Feedstock for the Production of Glycerol-Free Biodiesel by the Microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata.

The bioconversion of agri-food waste into high-value products is gaining growing interest worldwide. Orange peel waste (OPW) is the main by-product of orange juice production and contains high levels of moisture and carbohydrates. In this study, the orange waste extract (OWE) obtained through acid hydrolysis of OPW was used as a substrate in the cultivation of the marine microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata. Photoheterotrophic (PH) and Photoautotrophic (PA) cultivations were performed in OWE medium and f/2 medium (obtained by supplementing OWE with macro- and micronutrients of f/2 medium), respectively, for 14 days. The biomass yields in PA and PH cultures were 390 mg L-1 and 450 mg L-1, while oil yields were 15% and 28%, respectively. The fatty acid (FA) profiles of PA cultures were mostly represented by saturated (43%) and monounsaturated (46%) FAs, whereas polyunsaturated FAs accounted for about 10% of the FAs. In PH cultures, FA profiles changed remarkably, with a strong increase in monounsaturated FAs (77.49%) and reduced levels of saturated (19.79%) and polyunsaturated (2.72%) FAs. Lipids obtained from PH cultures were simultaneously extracted and converted into glycerol-free biodiesel using an innovative microwave-assisted one-pot tandem protocol. FA methyl esters were then analyzed, and the absence of glycerol was confirmed. The FA profile was highly suitable for biodiesel production and the microwave-assisted one-pot tandem protocol was more effective than traditional extraction techniques. In conclusion, N. oculata used OWE photoheterotrophically, resulting in increased biomass and oil yield. Additionally, a more efficient procedure for simultaneous oil extraction and conversion into glycerol-free biodiesel is proposed.

Chemical composition, mineral profile, carbohydrate fractionation, dry matter digestibility and in vitro gas production of Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw at different phenological stages

ABSTRACT The aim was to evaluate the chemical and mineral composition, carbohydrate fractionation, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and in vitro gas production of Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw at different phenological stages. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design, in which 4 plants of the same size were selected at random, and from these plants, leaves were collected at 3 phenological stages: young (leaves at the apex of the plant), intermediate (leaves in the middle parts of the plant) and mature (leaves at the base of the plant). Higher levels of ether extract (P = 0.001) and cellulose (P = 0.010) were obtained at maturity. The concentration of Boron in intermediate (35.58 g/kg DM) and mature (27.79 g/kg DM) leaves, and Zn in young (58.19 g/kg DM) and mature (54.98 g/kg DM) leaves decreased with the phenological stage. High levels of non-fibre carbohydrates influenced the in vitro gas production kinetics, with higher concentrations for young and intermediate stages. Under experimental conditions, Furcraea foetida is inferred to be a plant with a high energy content that preserves its nutrients in the different phenophases evaluated, a positive factor for its use as a forage plant for ruminant production in the semiarid region.

Evolution of the technological, sensory, and nutritional quality of gluten-free cookies: a critical review

Understanding the scenario of the development of gluten-free products, the relationship with the public, and the present challenges is of paramount importance to advance the development of these products successfully. This review focuses on gluten-free cookies, with a discussion of the main results found for the different types of raw materials and their influence on product quality and the lack of innovation in new processes for such products. According to the presentation of the studies, the main challenges for the development of gluten-free cookies are the repetition of starchy raw materials and the processes that lead to technological and sensory results that displease consumers because they are being compared with the affective memory of the gluten-free product, which unbalanced the nutritional value of the products because they have high levels of carbohydrates and fat. In the food industry, innovations and changes are already occurring, such as the use of protein and fiber raw materials. However, it is still necessary to develop strategies dissociated from those used for gluten-free baked goods that are more personalized for this market, which, compared with wheat products with more than 2000 years of history, is in the first steps of development.

High carbohydrate to protein ratio promotes changes in intestinal microbiota and host metabolism in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed plant-based diet

To ensure the sustainability of aquaculture, it is necessary to change the “menu” of carnivorous fish such as rainbow trout from a fish-based diet to one with plant-based ingredients. However, there is a major problem with the growth performance decrease of fish fed with a 100% plant-based diet due to the reduction in feed intake and feed efficiency. For the first time, we incorporated high levels of digestible carbohydrates (high-starch diet) in a 100% plant-based diet during a 12-week feeding trial in order to improve protein utilization for growth (protein sparing effect) and reduce nitrogen waste.We measured the changes in the intestinal microbiota, Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) levels and metabolic responses in liver. Dietary carbohydrates had a strong effect on alpha and beta diversity and abundance of 12 genera, including Ralstonia and Bacillus in digesta associated microbiota whereas mucosa associated microbiota was less affected. The change in microbial diversity might be linked to the change observed in SCFA production. High levels of Mycoplasma were observed in the intestinal mucosa. Overall, hepatic gene expression was significantly altered by the CHO/protein ratio. Up-regulation of genes involved in glucose metabolism (gcka, gckb, g6pcb2a), down-regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism (hadh, acox3, srebp2a, and cyp51a) were associated with higher enzymatic activities (such as glucokinase or pyruvate kinase) and higher glycogen levels in the liver, suggesting adequate adaptation to diet. Interestingly, strong correlations were observed between abundances of certain bacterial OTUs and gene expression in the liver.The inclusion of digestible carbohydrates in combination with a 100% plant-based diet, could be a promising way to improve and reduce the use of plant proteins in rainbow trout. In addition, the relationship between intestinal microbiota and host metabolism needs further investigation to better understand fish nutrition.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Drug Delivery Potential of Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. 'Dahongpao'.

Plant extracellular vesicles (PEVs) have attracted increasing attention due to their rich composition, good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and ability to transport drugs. As a common fruit, citrus is an ideal material for extracting PEVs because of the diversity and abundance of bioactive substances in it. In our study, citrus-derived extracellular vesicles (CEVs) were extracted from red mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. 'Dahongpao') and it was found that they contain high levels of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The high levels of total phenols and total flavonoids suggest that CEVs have good chemical antioxidant properties. We also demonstrated through cell experiments that CEVs have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, we found that CEVs have an encapsulation rate of 71.5 ± 0.19% and a high drug-carrying capacity of 4.96 ± 0.22% and can enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity when loaded with tangeretin. Our results show that CEVs contain abundant bioactive components, have low toxicity, exhibit good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and can serve as drug delivery agents. This study has important implications for utilizing citrus materials and developing natural anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory biomaterials.

Fatty acid composition and genome-wide associations of a chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) diversity panel for biofortification efforts

Chickpea is a nutritionally dense pulse crop with high levels of protein, carbohydrates, micronutrients and low levels of fats. Chickpea fatty acids are associated with a reduced risk of obesity, blood cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases in humans. We measured four primary chickpea fatty acids; palmitic acid (PA), linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and oleic acid (OA), which are crucial for human health and plant stress responses in a chickpea diversity panel with 256 accessions (Kabuli and desi types). A wide concentration range was found for PA (450.7–912.6 mg/100 g), LA (1605.7–3459.9 mg/100 g), ALA (416.4–864.5 mg/100 g), and OA (1035.5–1907.2 mg/100 g). The percent recommended daily allowances also varied for PA (3.3–6.8%), LA (21.4–46.1%), ALA (34.7–72%), and OA (4.3–7.9%). Weak correlations were found among fatty acids. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted using genotyping-by-sequencing data. Five significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified for PA. Admixture population structure analysis revealed seven subpopulations based on ancestral diversity in this panel. This is the first reported study to characterize fatty acid profiles across a chickpea diversity panel and perform GWAS to detect associations between genetic markers and concentrations of selected fatty acids. These findings demonstrate biofortification of chickpea fatty acids is possible using conventional and genomic breeding techniques, to develop superior cultivars with better fatty acid profiles for improved human health and plant stress responses.

Effects of High Dietary Carbohydrate Levels on Growth Performance, Enzyme Activities, Expression of Genes Related to Liver Glucose Metabolism, and the Intestinal Microbiota of Lateolabrax maculatus Juveniles

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of high dietary carbohydrate levels on growth performance, enzyme activities, and gene expressions related to liver glucose metabolism and the intestinal microbiota of Lateolabrax maculatus juveniles. Two experimental diets with levels of carbohydrates (20% and 30%, named the NCD group and the HCD group, respectively) were designed to feed L. maculatus (initial weight 9.45 ± 0.03 g) for 56 days. The results showed that, compared with the NCD group, the condition factor (CF) was significantly elevated in the HCD group (p < 0.05). The plasma advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), glycated serum protein (GSP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glutamate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly higher in the HCD group than those in the NCD group (p < 0.05). The intestinal lipase, chymotrypsin, and α-amylase in the HCD group were significantly higher than those in the NCD group (p < 0.05). The liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and catalase (CAT) were significantly lower in the HCD group than in the NCD group (p < 0.05). The liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and hexokinase (HK) levels were significantly higher than those in the NCD group (p < 0.05). In the histopathological findings, liver cells in the HCD group appeared to have many vacuoles, and the number of lipid droplets increased. Compared with the NCD group, the relative expression of liver glucokinase (GK) and glycogen synthetase kinase-3 (GSK3β) genes in the HCD group was significantly increased (p < 0.05), while the relative expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) genes in the HCD group was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that high dietary carbohydrate intake changed the composition and structure of the intestinal microbiota. At the phylum level of the intestinal microbiota, high dietary carbohydrates decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. At the genus level of the intestinal microbiota, high carbohydrates decreased the relative abundance of Bacillus and increased the relative abundance of Photobacterium and Paraclostridium. From the results of this experiment on L. maculatus, high carbohydrates led to increased condition factor and liver glycogen, lipid deposition, decreased antioxidant capacity of the liver, increased relative abundance of harmful intestinal microorganisms, and disrupted glucose metabolism.

Nutritional Composition of Plant Protein Beverages on China's Online Market: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Plant protein beverages are gaining popularity due to various reasons such as lactose intolerance, veganism and health claims. This study aimed to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of plant protein beverages sold online in China, with a focus on assessing their nutritional composition. A total of 251 kinds of plant protein beverages were analyzed, including coconut (n = 58), soy (n = 52), oats (n = 49), walnut (n = 14), almond (n = 11), peanut (n = 5), rice (n = 4), other beans (n = 5), mixed nuts (n = 5) and mixed beverages (n = 48), according to the nutrition label on the commercial package and retailer websites. The results showed that, except for soy beverages, plant protein beverages generally had low protein content, cereal beverages showed relatively high energy and carbohydrate levels, and all plant protein beverages had low sodium content. Additionally, the fortification rate of vitamins and minerals in the analyzed plant protein beverages was found to be extremely low, at only 13.1%. Given the substantial variation in the nutritional composition of plant protein beverages, consumers should pay more attention to the nutrition facts and ingredient information when choosing these beverages.

Systematic review of the relationship between rumen acidosis and laminitis in cattle

Laminitis is usually considered a consequence of digestive disorders that reduce ruminal pH. However, it is still not clear the direct relation between low ruminal pH provoked by excessive fast-digesting carbohydrate ingestion and laminitis, considering indicators, signs, and diagnosis aspects. This study aimed to clarify the association between different clinical presentations of laminitis with ruminal acidosis provoked by diet using the systematic review methodology. Three electronic databases were used: ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. A total of 339 manuscripts were identified and only 16 were included. Manuscripts were published between 2000 and 2021 in 11 different peer-reviewed journals. Fifteen studies confirmed the occurrence of ruminal acidosis. The main indicators used were ruminal pH and clinical signs, such as anorexia, depression, discomfort and diarrhea. Two of the studies that administered oligofructose to induce acidosis and acute laminitis did not observe clinical signs of laminitis, using lameness score or hooves' sensitivity as an indicator. Various diagnostic methods were used to describe laminitis, like thermography, hoof biopsy, sensitivity test, and visual inspection. Although the variety of laminitis indicators used in the included studies, we evidence the existence of an association between diet (high level of fast-digesting carbohydrates), ruminal acidosis, and acute laminitis, mostly in the short-term acidosis' induction protocols, but the mechanism of action is still not clear.

The Effect of Adding Purple Yam Flour on the Organoleptic Properties of Biscuits

Biscuit is a type of dry food that is popular among the community. In the making of biscuits, additional ingredients are added to increase nutritional value, such as the addition of purple yam tuber. Purple yam contains high levels of carbohydrates and calories. Its carbohydrate content has a high amylose level of 26.98-31.02%. One of the food products that can be made into a healthy snack with high fiber and nutritional value is biscuits. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of adding purple yam flour to the acceptability of biscuits as a high fiber snack. This study is experimental using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) Non-Factorial with 3 treatments and 3 replications. To influence acceptability, sensory tests were conducted on taste, aroma, texture, and color using 25 panelists. The results showed that the acceptability of biscuits with the addition of purple yam flour from the color aspect was most preferred by panelists in treatment A (150 g) compared to B (125 g) and C (100). The addition of purple yam flour has no significant effect on taste, aroma, and texture, while there is a significant effect on color.

Characteristics of Composite Flour Made of Kidney Bean and Soybean

Kidney beans and soybeans have the potential to be developed because they contain good nutrient. Kidney beans and soybeans are sources of vegetable protein. One form of development of legume products is composite flour. The aim of this study was to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of composite flour made of kidney beans and soybeans. The experiment was designed using Completely Randomized Design with nine treatments and each treatment was replicated three times. The factor investigated was formulation of composite flour made from kidney bean and soybean (90%:10%; 80%:20%; 70%:30%; 60%:40%; 50%:50%; 40%:60%; 30%:70%; 20%:80%; and 10%:90%). The swelling power, solubility, color, white degree, moisture content, ash, protein, fat, and carbohydrate content were analyzed. The results showed that the higher percentage of soybean flour caused a decrease on swelling power, white degree, and redness of composite flour, but it increased the value of solubility, lightness and yellowness of composite flour. Composite flour with higher percentage of kidney bean flour had higher carbohydrate level, while composite flour with higher percentage of soybean flour had higher protein and fat content. The moisture contents of composite flour made of kidney bean and soybean were in accordance with the standard for beans flour products.

The positive effects of dietary arginine on juvenile hybrid snakehead (Channa maculata♀×Channa argus♂) fed high-carbohydrate diets: Liver inflammation antioxidant response, and glucose metabolism

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of arginine supplementation on liver morphology, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response, insulin signaling pathway and glucose metabolism in hybrid snakehead. Five experimental diets (2.31 %, 2.42 %, 2.72 %, 2.92 %, and 3.12 % arginine) were prepared by adding different levels of arginine to the basal diet containing high (27 %) level of carbohydrate. The results showed that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of fish fed with arginine diets were significantly higher than those in control group (p < 0.05), accompanied by the lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the same groups (p < 0.05). There were obvious mild inflammatory cell infiltration and increased perihepatic pancreatic space in control group, while the pathological state of the liver was relieved in fish fed with arginine diets. Dietary arginine supplementation resulted in significantly higher glucose metabolism-related genes glucokinase (GK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxkinase (PEPCK), glycogen synthase (GS) and pyruvate kinase (PK) and insulin signaling pathway key genes insulin receptor subset-1 (IRS-1), protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PI3K)(p < 0.05). Immune-related genes transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) were significantly higher in the arginine supplemented diet than in the control group (p < 0.05). Immune-related genes interleukin-8 (IL8), interleukin-1β (IL1β) and tissue tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in fish fed with arginine diets were significantly lower than those in control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary arginine can alleviate the adverse effects of high carbohydrate diet on hybrid snakeheads by improving glucose metabolism and enhancing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and non-specific immune functions.

Formulating finger millet (Eleusine coracana L) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) food blend for enhanced micronutrients for children below 5 years

Malnutrition of children under 5 years is a public health concern because it is the most vulnerable stage of child’s growth where its impact results in long term health conditions such as stunting, wasting, obesity and poor cognitive development. This study aimed at developing a Rapoko-Cowpea porridge blend to enhance dietary micronutrients among children below the age of 5 years and assess its sensory acceptability. A mixed methods research approach was adopted consisting of a quasi- experiment and a cross sectional survey. Vendors from Mbare market were clustered based on the source of their finger millet and cowpea grains (Masvingo, Murewa, Gokwe). A Completely Randomised Design (CRD) was used with three treatments (blends) replicated three times. Proximate analysis was done using standard AOAC methods. Compared to cowpea, finger millet had the highest levels of carbohydrates (78.12g/100g), iron (8.7mg/100g), zinc (3.77mg/100g). Results also show that 75:25. Rapoko-Cowpea blend ratio had the ability to meet WHO daily nutrient requirements for children under the age of 5 years. Blend ratio of Rapoko: cowpeas (75:25) had the highest carbohydrates (69.41g/100g), protein (25.64g/100g), zinc (1.74mg/100g), iron (5.14mg/100g), energy (411.37kcal), and vitamins (0.11 mcg RAE) with RaCoB1 blend having the lowest nutrient composition. Results have showed that finger millet (Rapoko), cowpeas and RaCoB (Rapoko-Cowpea blend) blends have high macro and micronutrients (iron and zinc) to support daily nutritional requirements of children below the age of 5 years and may help in addressing malnutrition. Sensory evaluation was done with 100 panellists from the University of Zimbabwe and of the three blends, a 75:25 ratio was the most preferred (90.88%). Further studies need to analyse the effects of anti-nutritional factors, bioavailability of nutrients, shelf life of the food blend and commercialization potential of RaCoB blends. The government is therefore encouraged to provide agronomic support for increased productivity of small grains and pulses through improved research and extension. There is a need to develop a policy at national level that promotes blending of cereals and pulses as well as innovative small scale food processing initiatives through private-public partnerships. Key words: Children under 5 years, Cowpea, food blending, Malnutrition, Micronutrients, Rapoko, Sensory evaluation

Effect of co-inoculation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri on aerobic stability and microbial community composition of perennial sorghum silage

In the present study, the aerobic stability of perennial sorghum (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum propinquum) silage following exposure to air was evaluated, which was pretreated with either Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L group) or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum + Lentilactobacillus buchneri (M group). Samples from the M group had lower dry matter loss rates and higher acetic acid content after exposure to air. Furthermore, samples from the M group showed high levels of water-soluble carbohydrates (2.79–6.55% in dry matter) and crude protein (3.82–9.02% in dry matter) after exposure to air. Moreover, M pretreatment led to the inhibition of the growth of Debaryomyces hansenii whereas it promoted the growth of Levilactobacillus and Clavispora sp. Overall, M pretreatment of perennial sorghum during storage hindered aerobic deterioration and promoted the formation of total fermentation products that act as precursors for biogas production.

Quality Evaluation of Noodles Produced From Blends of Wheat, Unripe Banana and Cowpea Flours

The work determined the quality of noodles produced from wheat, unripe banana and cowpea flour blends. Flour blends were produced from wheat, cowpea and unripe banana flour at the ratios of 100:0:0, 80:10:10, 70:10:20, 60:10:30, 50:10:40 (wheat: unripe banana: cowpea). Noodles were prepared from the flour blends and evaluated for the chemical composition, color, cooking characteristics and sensory properties. Noodles from 100% wheat flour served as control. The cowpea flour contained higher amount of protein while the unripe banana flour and wheat flour had higher levels of carbohydrate than the cowpea flour. The wheat flour had higher sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous contents than the other flours, which were closely followed by those of the unripe banana flour. The moisture contents of the noodles varied from 9.15-11.25%. The ash contents of the noodles ranged between 1.03 and 1.80%.The crude fiber, fat and carbohydrate contents of the noodles increased with the level of cowpea flour in the noodles. The energy contents of the noodles ranged from 383.39-422.31Kcal/100g. The cooking time decreased from 10.50 min in wheat flour noodles to 7.50 min in the noodle containing 40% cowpea flour. However, the cooking loss and weight increased as the amount of cowpea flour in the noodles increased. The wheat flour noodles were rated higher for color, taste and overall acceptability but not for flavor and mouthfeel. The score for overall acceptability of the wheat flour noodle was 8.60 while those of the composite flour noodles containing 10 and 20% cowpea flour were 8.15 respectively on 9-point Hedonic scale. It is concluded that noodles could be produced from 70% wheat, 20% cowpea and 10% unripe banana flour blends without affecting the qualities of the noodles.